Strange Bedfellows

My Sadie, Sade has a tendency to sleep with some strange things. She picks these things out after her door is closed, so I never know what she has chosen until I wake her up in the mornings, or at nap time.

Sometimes it is a traditional doll (albeit with a hard head).

By the way, Sadie likes to have her clothes off while napping.

This was her skin after finding her asleep on top of a toy piano.

It's often her pink princess phone, which she adores.

Her sesame street cup is a favorite.

Books sometimes make an appearance. On a side note Megan used to sleep with a book under her pillow for years. If only it would have taught her to love reading more!

Occasionally, Sade picks things a little more out of the the ordinary:

Sleeping Bag

Magna Doodle

This bazaar ball hopping toy. With her little arm around it, it makes it looks like it is the most snuggle worthy toy she owns.

On this particular day I think she really outdid herself! She has an Elmo toy, a doll, a firehat, and a ball popper to keep her company.

I guess she needs those things to comfort her, because the last few weeks she has insisted on putting herself to bed. That's right, when I ask her is she wants me or Eric to tuck her in, she responds, "No, I tuck myself in." And then she goes into her room, and does just that.  My heart may never stop breaking!

Death Valley

We have been meaning to go to Death Valley for quite some time, and finally made it! Death Valley is huge (over 3 million acres), so we were only able to see a bit of it. You could spend days there seeing everything.

Jackson and Sadie refused to play dead!!

After a picnic lunch we headed to the Visitor's Center. While there the kids became Junior Rangers. The process was quite involved, and took up some time, but was fun.

Working on the Junior Rangers activities.

Getting sworn in.

Displaying their badges and patches.

After leaving the Visitor's Center we headed over to Badwater, which is the lowest point in North America, sitting at 282 feet below sea level.

We are pointing to the sign on the mountain that tells us where sea level is.

We knew that this past weekend was probably the last weekend in months that we could explore Death Valley (due to the extreme heat). I expected it to be around 100 degrees, but I was wrong. We hit:

112 Degrees!! It was so HOT.

We started out by walking onto the salt flats, which were pretty cool. They stretch 5 miles.

It was so hot we almost didn't make it out!

Fortunately we made it back, and decided to go on one more hike. And when I say we, I actually mean Eric decided we should go on one more hike. I was super hot and tired and would have been content sitting in the air-conditioned car.

Luckily this hike was mostly behind a mountain, thereby giving us much needed shade.

Megan and Jackson in front of a dry waterfall.

Pretty soon we reached our destination, which was Natural Bridge.

We had a great day at Death Valley, and I am sure we will go back eventually. Hopefully when it is 75 degrees.

Wordless Wednesday

Kindergarten Graduation

Last Thursday was Jackson's Kindergarten Graduation. They have been practicing for weeks, and it paid off. It was quite possibly one of the cutest things ever witnessed, and I admit that I had 3 teary-eyed moments! They were supposed to perform outside in the courtyard, but since it was windy Thursday (no big surprise there), they moved the performance inside. 

This is the set they built.

They did a couple of skits, and sang some songs.

Then they handed out the diplomas!

After the diploma's were handed out each child told us what they wanted to be when they grow up. There were lots of teachers, fire-fighters, Wolverine, a transformer, and a police officer (Jackson's answer).

We then headed back to the classroom for the rest of the program. The kids performed all of the songs they have learned this year, in front of a screen that was showing pictures from the entire year.

I almost broke down when they started putting their arms around each other and swaying to the music, but somehow managed to hold it together. We then headed outside for lunch and the pinata!!

Jackson was so excited to have Eric there. When he saw him arrive for the program he could not stop smiling. He then turned to the kid next to him and said, "That's my dad." It was almost another crying moment.

Jackson with his teacher.

With his diploma. Doesn't he look so cool in his cap and gown? Jackson had a great year, and is ready for 1st grade. If only I was ready to send him.

Friday was the 3rd trimester awards for Megan. Once again she received the Principal's Honor Roll Award, and the Great Attendance award!

With her fellow 4th grade straight A honorees.

She has worked extremely hard this year, and I couldn't be prouder.